Trying to make sense out of getting around

Extended carpool lanes opening in Marin

Caltrans this week opened a new southbound carpool lane on Highway 101 in Novato and in a couple of weeks plans to open a northbound carpool lane there.

Both are signs that the widening of 101 from northern Marin County to northern Petaluma is inching along, although closing the carpool gap will take years to finish.

The new southbound lane runs from Novato Creek to Highway 37. The northbound lane is to open Aug. 9 from Highway 37 to Atherton Avenue. The construction of both, which are the fourth lane in each direction, cost a total of $49.3 million and took about a year to do.

The highway’s widening in Marin is scheduled to continue later this year with crews beginning work to extend the southbound carpool lane from Atherton Avenue to Novato Creek and the northbound lane from Atherton Avenue to a bit south of the Redwood Landfill dump. Completion is scheduled for fall 2013.

After that, the next stretch of 101 likely to be widened is from about the Petaluma Auto Mall to a bit south of East Washington Street in Petaluma. Caltrans spokesman Steve A. Williams said that project is being designed with construction expected in 2015 or later, depending upon funding.

Future projects to widen 101 south to Novato is awaiting funding for design work and later construction, he said.

If you commute through Marin, drop us a comment below to let us know what you think of the new lanes.

About this blog

Ever wonder what Caltrans is up to? Want a heads up on road work that may affect you? Or what the traffic laws are? Road Warrior is here to help. We’ll keep you updated on road work across the North Coast, changes in traffic laws and anything else that will help make driving here easier. Send us your questions, and we’ll find the answers to help all Road Warriors. Email your questions or your insights to Attn: Road Warrior at eric.wittmershaus@pressdemocrat.com.